For most of us, transportation is something we rarely think about.
We grab our keys, get in the car, and go where we need to go. It’s simple.
But for thousands of individuals across Southern Maryland — especially seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those without reliable access to a vehicle — getting from point A to point B isn’t simple at all.
And a lack of transportation is more than an inconvenience. It’s a barrier to health care, banking, grocery shopping. It’s a wall between a person and their community.
That’s where LifeStyles of Maryland steps in.
The Mission: Beyond the Destination
For Transportation Manager Dwayne Bydume, the mission is about giving our passengers back something vital to all of us: freedom.
“The goal of the transportation program was to keep seniors from being locked in their homes,” he said. “We have a lot of seniors who can’t get out of their homes because of wheelchairs, because of being on a cane or having some kind of disability. And we’re in place to keep them moving and keep them having some kind of quality of life.”
LifeStyles’ Transportation Program helps individuals reach essential destinations like doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, the bank, and the post office. The program is a dedicated resource for Southern Maryland’s most vulnerable, primarily serving seniors, individuals with physical or developmental disabilities, and those in low-income households who lack a reliable vehicle.
“We take them just about anywhere they sign up to go,” Dwayne said.
Those interested in using the program can start by applying on our Transportation page.
And while local trips are the heart of the program, LifeStyles tackles the long-distance travel that can be intimidating or impossible for many.
“LifeStyles transportation has a wide range of area that we cover,” he said. “We’ll [go to] Baltimore City, Virginia, Washington, D.C.”
Impact by the Numbers
The scale of the program is significant, reflecting the deep need in our community.
“We run about 1,800 trips every quarter,” Dwayne said.
That adds up to roughly 7,200 trips each year, with each trip helping a neighbor fulfill a vital need.
A major contributor to that impact is LifeStyles’ partnership with Spring Dell’s Adult Day Program. Each day, LifeStyles transports more than 30 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to Spring Dell for social interaction, skill-building and community experiences.
More Than a Ride: Respect and Care
Behind those 7,200 annual trips is a dedicated team. When you ask Dwayne what stands out most about the program, he doesn’t point to the vehicles — he points to the people.
It starts with Dispatcher Naeemah Cooper, who takes the calls and coordinates the complex web of routes. Behind the wheel are drivers Rory Bullock, Anderson Doreus, Julio Carballo, and Edmond Mattar.
“We get a lot of compliments from the seniors,” he says. “The drivers that we have on staff are very courteous. These guys are well-trained. They’re professionals. They have a lot of respect for the people that they carry.”
That respect goes both ways.
“Everybody that we drive really,” Dwayne said, “gives us a lot of respect.”
Powered by a Fleet — and One Very Big Truck
To keep Southern Maryland moving, LifeStyles operates a versatile fleet: four buses, two sprinter vans, and three cars. But there is one vehicle that plays a different, equally vital role: a 26-foot box truck.
“We pick up a lot of food,” Dwayne said. “Local food pantries are very busy, so we go pick up our food and deliver it to the main office. Then that food gets separated, and we take it out to different facilities within LifeStyles.”
The truck also handles large-scale logistics that support the broader LifeStyles mission.
“We also get groceries from Amazon, sometimes 18 to 20 pallets,” he said. “We use that truck for our Distribution Center when we pick up clothing or supplies. The truck is amazing.”
Whether it’s moving people or moving 20 pallets of food, these vehicles are lifelines for our community.
A Mission Rooted in Service
At its core, the Transportation Program is about something bigger than logistics. It’s about ensuring that no one is forgotten.
“We don’t really worry about money here,” Dwayne said. “We’re here to help the community. LifeStyles has helped so many people.”
For Dwayne, the work is personal. He understands the stakes of the mission because he sees them in his own life.
“I have a mother who is 92 years old,” he said. “So I know what it is to take care of seniors and understand what being locked in means.”
That understanding shows up in every ride, every delivery, and every mile traveled. We know that transportation isn’t just about getting somewhere. It’s about making sure no one is left behind.
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